Last week, our Foundation, in partnership with the Educational and Methodological Center for Civil Defense and Life Safety of the Kherson Region, conducted a practical mine safety training for condominium association heads. Kherson is under daily shelling and drone attacks, so such training is essential to save the lives of residents and increase their awareness of real threats.
Due to Russian aggression, Ukraine is recognized as the most contaminated country with explosives in the world. Kherson is the most dangerous city on this map.
During the training, participants received practical knowledge and precise algorithms for action in critical situations: how to respond to artillery shelling, which objects may turn out to be disguised explosives, how to properly secure the entrance if you do not have time to get to shelter, and why you should not touch even seemingly “safe” things.
It is essential to understand that modern methods of warfare, in particular the use of drones, significantly increase the level of mine danger for the civilian population. According to experts, a significant part of the ammunition dropped from drones does not explode, which creates an even greater risk for the civilian population.
Trainer Yulia Safonova, a methodologist of the regional methodological office of the Educational and Methodological Center for Civil Defense and Life Safety of the Kherson Region, interactively and with examples from real cases explained how to act so as not to put yourself at risk. During the training, video instructions were used, situations were simulated to analyze actions, mistakes, and correct decisions were discussed.
Special emphasis was placed on the rule "it is important to learn not to recognize, but to know how to act." As practice shows, it is precisely the violation of this rule that costs people their health and lives.
“Even experienced military retirees sometimes make fatal mistakes, trying to 'figure it out on their own' - they touch and move explosive objects,” Yulia noted.
The participants were also reminded of the need to have their relatives’ contacts written down not only in their phone, but also on paper. In the event of an injury or loss of the phone, this can save a life.
Over the course of four months, we will provide 20 Kherson condominiums with basic safety equipment, including first-aid kits, tourniquets, and fire extinguishers, and conduct a series of practical training sessions on fire, mine, and pre-hospital safety.
This initiative will enhance the preparedness of over 1,000 community residents, including many elderly individuals, those with limited mobility, and internally displaced persons. This will improve their readiness for action in emergency situations.
The project is being implemented with the support of the international humanitarian organization ZOA and funded by the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund (UHF).
